Caring for your Pet tips

**Darlene** · 12-28-2007, 11:08 AM

It's easier to clean the box if you tilt it. The good litter moves away from the wet spot, you can scoop easier & waste less.

What are your tips to make caring for a pet easier?

**CristiK** · 12-28-2007, 11:19 AM

I have 4 cats and for their litter box I use a very large rubbermaid container. I used a heated knife (like in a wood carving set) to cut a hole in the side for entry and I use it right side up with the lid on.
It is much larger the regular store bought ones and all 4 of my cats use the same litter box so I don't have to clean it twice a day like with the smaller ones.
Also, by making the hole up higher on the side, the litter doesn't kick out as much.

**cottageliving** · 12-28-2007, 12:24 PM

Both of these are EXCELLENT ideas -- I'll begin using these ideas with my 3 wonderful cats....

Thanks! (from me, Hazel

, Sherbie

, and Blitzen

)

**Sari** · 12-28-2007, 12:28 PM

Originally Posted by CristiK

I have 4 cats and for their litter box I use a very large rubbermaid container. I used a heated knife (like in a wood carving set) to cut a hole in the side for entry and I use it right side up with the lid on.
It is much larger the regular store bought ones and all 4 of my cats use the same litter box so I don't have to clean it twice a day like with the smaller ones.
Also, by making the hole up higher on the side, the litter doesn't kick out as much.

Cristi, I've been thinking about doing this. How easy is it for scooping and dumping the old litter? Any problems getting your cats to climb through the higher hole?

**Darlene** · 12-28-2007, 12:35 PM

Reminds me... I have a rather large cat and use a big sweater rubbermade type box (no lid) for him to do his business in. Regular cat boxes are just too small. I use the lid to keep the litter bag off the basement floor.

**baxjul** · 12-28-2007, 06:51 PM

Wow. My kitties are so small, I use dishpans!
I feed the kitties on the dryer, or else big doggie thinks that he needs to share.

**shoiji** · 12-28-2007, 07:22 PM

These are great tips. Thanks. I also try and feed my cats slightly more expensive cat food. For them it seems to keep the shedding down.

**Willowtree** · 01-06-2008, 08:46 AM

The one place I do spend money is on good quality pet food. It saves on vet bills. If you feed them the junk from the supermarket they will get sick and you will spend the money at the vets instead. I have learned this from experience. Since feeding my cats and dogs "real" food I have not had any illnesses.

**pip** · 01-06-2008, 12:29 PM

What high quality cat food do people use? I've been using Iams, which has been fine, but lately I've been thinking about "biproducts" which is causing me to rethink what is best...

**inneedofhope** · 01-06-2008, 12:34 PM

I have one dog and two cats. I'm not sure how heathy this is, but I keep them on dry food for the most part, but they get lots of scraps from our meals such as egg, cheese, and meat. I have to watch ds with the dog, he forgets that the dog cannot have dairy or chocolate.
When I run out of dry food before grocery day they get chicken, which i generally have on hand.

**CristiK** · 01-06-2008, 10:14 PM

Originally Posted by Sari

Cristi, I've been thinking about doing this. How easy is it for scooping and dumping the old litter? Any problems getting your cats to climb through the higher hole?

I have had no problem with scooping or dumping old litter. I slide the lid off to the side with the hole so that in case I accidentally fling some it sorta catches it. The cats have no problem at all getting in and out. The sterilite container I use is 15 inches high and the lid measures about 23 by 16.5. I bought it at Walmart and it couldn't have been more than a few dollars.
Since the lid is up high instead of in the middle, you lose way less litter to "kick out". I have a spare one I keep in the basement for when I go out of town and need extra litter. Works great! You do have to sorta go slow cutting through the plastic with the hot cutter but it didn't take that long and it has lasted a couple of years so far. Oh....and the container is that semi transparent kind so that I can see when it needs scooping.

**bumplett** · 01-06-2008, 10:24 PM

~ trim toe nails monthly (at least) to keep the quick pushed back and to avoid "dagger claws"
~ if unable to trim this often, a nice, brisk walk on the concrete daily will help keep nails filed.
~ if you have multiple pets, it never hurts to ask your vet if they offer a "multi-pet" discount! Many do!

**britbunny** · 01-07-2008, 06:27 AM

Here's a good inexpensive toy for a pet rabbit! Stuff the cardboard tube from tp or kitchen roll with hay for the bun to chew and throw around. My bun loves it and is occupied for ages.

**MirandaK** · 01-07-2008, 08:51 AM

Feeding my cats real food instead of pet food. Eggs and chicken works out to be much cheaper and way healthier for 4 cats than wet food. Plus, they eat less dry food, too.

(Any of you on the fence about pet food should read Foods Pets Die For. It finally convinced me that pet food was not the way to go)

**Edna_E** · 01-07-2008, 07:46 PM

I've recently run across info on raw foods for cats (since cats are total carnivores by nature). I think this is healthier, though am not sure about cheaper, and it sounds like a big ordeal to me.